TRIBUTES have been paid to one of Thornbury’s oldest women, “a fun-loving pure lady” who has died shortly after celebrating her 106th birthday.

Vera Jones, passed away peacefully at Beech House on January 2, having lived there for the past five years.

Born in Bishopston, Bristol on November 30, 1911, Vera moved to Horfield with husband Herbert, who she was married to for almost 50 years before he died.

A housewife for most of her life, Vera also worked during the Second World War, completing a range of tasks for the war effort, including building spare parts for planes at Bristol Aeroplane Company in Filton.

In that time, the couple celebrated the birth of their two sons Rodney and Michael, who in turn produced four grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and a great-great-grandchild who is now two-years-old.

Known to the younger members of her family as “Silly Nanny”, Vera was always the fun member of the family, taking pride in being on a billboard poster in Dubai in her youth, as well as going travelling in her 80’s with a trip Australia.

“She never put a foot wrong in her life, she was a fun-loving pure lady, with no bark in her whatsoever,” said daughter-in-law Jenny.

“Vera was fiercely independent and missed having her own home, but she loved being at Beech House, who were fantastic with her.

“Sadly missed although not sad for her because she wasn’t entirely happy not to be in charge of her life anymore and is now at peace.

“Some people have said that she is going to be joining her family, friends, and her husband, and given they have been waiting quite a while for her up there, they are probably saying ‘About time too!’” 

Vicky McCready, team leader at Beech House team leader described Vera as “an amazing lady, always full of laughter”.

“If there were any young men in the home, she would always be the first over to have a little flirt, and would chase them around. She was great, a huge part of our unit.”

A funeral will be held on January 25 at 2.15pm in Canford, Bristol.